An assistant can become certified by successfully passing an examination administered by the:

UPDATE – GOVERNOR SIGNS LEGISLATION REMOVING THE LICENSURE REQUIREMENT FOR REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANTS IN EXTENDED FUNCTIONS TO COMPLETE A CLINICAL AND/OR PRACTICAL EXAMINATION EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2022.

Senate Bill (SB) 607 (Min, Chapter 367, Statutes of 2021) was signed by Governor Newsom on September 28, 2021, and will become effective on January 1, 2022. Among other things, this bill removes the clinical and/or practical examination requirements to become a California Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions (RDAEF).

Effective January 1, 2022, the Dental Board of California (Board) may license as an RDAEF a person who submits written evidence, satisfactory to the Board, of all the following eligibility requirements:

  1. Current licensure as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) or completion of the requirements for licensure as a RDA;
  2. Successful completion of a Board-approved course in the application of Pit & Fissure Sealants;
  3. Successful completion of a Board-approved RDAEF program;
  4. Successful passage of a written examination administered by the Board; and
  5. Submission of fingerprint clearances from both the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The Board worked with the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Office of Professional Examination Services (OPES) to conduct an occupational analysis of the RDAEF profession. Based on the results of the occupational analysis, a new RDAEF written examination will be launched on January 1, 2022, that will incorporate additional content that measures competencies related to cord retraction and final impression, which were previously measured by the practical and clinical examinations. RDAEF applicants who have already taken and passed the current RDAEF written examination will not be required to take the new exam.

The Board continues to accept and process applications for RDAEF licensure. Applicants who submit complete applications will be issued eligibility to take the current RDAEF Written Examination. However, licenses will not be issued to those who successfully complete the current RDAEF Written Examination until after January 1, 2022, when the requirement for the clinical and/or practical examination is removed.

For those who currently have an application on file with the Board for RDAEF licensure, the Board will be:

  1. Issuing refunds for the practical and clinical examination fees ($500) to applicants who have paid the fee and have not taken the examination(s). Applicants can expect to receive their refunds in approximately 12 weeks. There is no need to contact the Board to request a refund.
  2. Beginning January 3, 2022 (Monday), the Board will begin issuing licenses to applicants who have successfully met all licensure requirements in effect as of January 1, 2022.

Effective January 1, 2022, applicants for RDAEF licensure will be required to take the new RDEAF Written Examination. Additional information regarding this new RDAEF Written Examination will be forthcoming. Please check the Board’s website for updates, including a new candidate information bulletin.

Candidates who fail the current RDAEF Written Examination and retake the examination after January 1, 2022, will be required to take the new RDAEF written examination. Please note, examinee scores for the new RDAEF written examination will be held pending evaluation of examination performance. The Board anticipates having the results released by mid-February 2022.

As a result of these changes, the Board anticipates an increase in the number of phone, email, and mail inquiries relating to RDAEF licensure. Please note that such inquiries may take 4-5 business days for response. Please check the Board’s website for updated information. Additionally, the Board encourages all interested parties to subscribe to Board email notifications .

How to Become a Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions

Reciprocity is not offered to practice as a Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions (RDAEF) in California. All persons wishing to perform the functions of an RDAEF in California must complete the licensure process described below.

Application and Examination Requirements

On and after January 1, 2010, the Dental Board of California (Board) may license as an RDAEF a person who submits written evidence, satisfactory to the Board, of all the following eligibility requirements:

  1. Current licensure as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) or completion of the requirements for licensure as an RDA.
  2. Successful completion of a Board-approved course in the application of Pit and Fissure Sealants.
  3. Successful completion of a Board-approved RDAEF program.
  4. Passage of a written, clinical and practical examination administered by the Board.
  5. Submission of fingerprint clearances from both the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

Effective January 1, 2022, the Dental Board of California (Board) may license as an RDAEF a person who submits written evidence, satisfactory to the Board, of all the following eligibility requirements:

  1. Current licensure as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) or completion of the requirements for licensure as a RDA;
  2. Successful completion of a Board-approved course in the application of Pit & Fissure Sealants;
  3. Successful completion of a Board-approved RDAEF program;
  4. Successful passage of a written examination administered by the Board; and
  5. Submission of fingerprint clearances from both the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Once this process is completed and an applicant is found to be qualified for licensure, a pocket identification card and wall certificate are issued. There is no license fee required for the initial license other than the initial application and examination fees.

Links

For more information, please call (916) 263-2300 or email .

Dental assistants work in private dentists' offices, hospitals and clinics, for dental suppliers and even for the public health authority. If you'd like to become a dental assistant, you can be trained on the job by a qualified dental assistant and a licensed dentist, but, increasingly, potential employers are requiring more formal training. A dental assistant can function as a dentist's third hand, preparing materials for impressions, processing X-rays, sterilizing and preparing instruments, and looking after some of the office's administrative tasks. As such, dental assistants deal directly with patients. Because of the nature of the job, dental assistants need to be reliable, good with using their hands and get on well with people. If this sounds like the job for you, continue reading to learn how to become a dental assistant [source: ADA].

  1. Take courses in biology, health studies, and chemistry, as well as office practices, while still in high school.
  2. Attend a college that offers courses in dental assisting. Make sure the college you choose is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). During such a course, which typically lasts for one year, you will study practical dental-assisting skills as well as associated theory. You will receive a certificate upon successfully completing the course.
  3. Take the certification examination to become a Certified Dental Assistant. The examination is administered by the Dental Assisting National Board [source: BLS].

You are now ready to get a job as a dental assistant.

An assistant can become certified by successfully passing an examination administered by the:

SRJC Dental Assisting Certificate-Year-to-Career Program

ABOUT DENTAL ASSISTING:

     The dental assistant takes on significant responsibility as a member of the dental health-care team. Registered Dental Assistants greatly increase the efficiency of the dentist in the delivery of quality oral health care and are valuable members of the dental care team. The duties of a California registered dental assistant (RDA) are among the most comprehensive and varied in the dental office. They perform many tasks requiring both interpersonal and technical skills.

Responsibilities include:

  • assisting the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures;
  • taking dental radiographs;
  • reviewing a patient’s medical history and taking their vital signs;
  • serving as an infection control officer;
  • developing infection control protocol and preparing and sterilizing instruments and equipment;
  • helping patients feel comfortable and confident, before, during and after dental treatment;
  • providing patients with instructions for oral care following surgery or other dental treatment procedures, such as the placement of a restoration (filling);
  • teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health; (e.g., toothbrushing, flossing and nutritional counseling); and
  • taking impressions of patients’ teeth for study models.

     In addition to clinical responsibilities, those who prefer the business office can have administrative functions, such as a scheduling coordinator, an insurance processor, treatment  and financial coordinator and as an office manager.

Video:  ABOUT DENTAL ASSISTING 

     A Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) is a health professional licensed in the State of California who typically works chairside with patients, assisting the dentist and or working independently performing duties within the scope of practice deemed appropriate by the Dental Board of California. Additionally they may work in the front office, or in a dental laboratory, community clinics, as a dental product representative or as an educator in the college setting. After graduating from Santa Rosa Junior College Dental Assisting program they are able to take the state licensing exam to become a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) and they may also become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) by taking the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) exam.

DENTAL ASSISTING at SRJC:

  • The SRJC Dental Assisting Program is located in the beautiful new state-of-the-art William B Race Health Sciences Building on the Santa Rosa Campus.
     
  • The Dental Assisting program is a well balanced 2 semester (Fall and Spring), full-time sequence of instruction.
     
  • Twenty-four full-time students are admitted in the program each fall. The program admits students once a year in the fall semester.
     
  • The Dental Assisting Program has an excellent reputation within the local dental community. Graduates of the Dental Assisting Program rank among the highest in the state in passing the California Registered Dental Assisting Examination.
     
  • The majority of the dental assisting classes are a combination of science-oriented lectures and skill development laboratories. During the lectures, students learn theory about oral anatomy, dental radiology, dental materials, chairside dental assisting, oral health information, and management of dental and medical emergencies. In the labs, students apply the knowledge that they have learned in lectures and develop the skills necessary to become competent in the procedures they will expected to perform in their clinical experiences.
     
  • During the fall and spring semesters, students should plan for classes to be scheduled from 8 AM to 5 PM, four days a week. There may be times when a class will be held before 8 AM or later than 5 PM.  Approximately 7 hours of outside study each week is required.
     
  • Students are expected to provide their own transportation to and from their assigned the clinical sites.

PROGRAM GOALS:

     The Allied Dental Programs curriculum creates an environment in which students are stimulated to learn, to grow personally, to develop decision making, ethical, and problem solving skills, and to stimulate creative and independent thinking.  Students will achieve professional and personal growth through application of classroom knowledge in clinical, laboratory and community settings.

To provide an education that reflects academic excellence and which serves the variety of needs and abilities of our students- 

  •  Graduates will apply evidence based knowledge and skills as they assume the responsibilities of a registered/certified dental assistant. 
     
  •  Assisting students to succeed in meeting their educational goals by providing comprehensive instructional and student support services. 
     
  •  Prepare graduates to assume responsibility for continued professional growth, high professional standards and to meet the challenges of oral health care delivery. 
     
  •  To prepare students to pass the Certified Dental Assisting Examination and California State Registered Dental Assisting licensure examination.

PROGRAM COMPETENCIES:

Upon successful completion of this certificate, the student will be able to: 

  • Graduates of the dental assisting program will be able to make ethical decisions, and demonstrate problem-solving abilities through independent and critical thinking.
     
  • Graduates will be able to assist a dentist in all phases of diagnosis and treatment of patients, including restorative and cosmetic procedures, endodontic procedures, orthodontic, pediatric, and surgical procedures.                           

Career Opportunities:

     The SRJC dental Assisting Program is a 2018 CA State Community College Chancellor’s office gold Star Award winner.  This award is given to career and technical education courses who show outstanding post-college outcomes in: Employment, Earnings Gain and Regional Living Wage.

     SRJC Dental Assisting Graduates achieve: 100% employment in their field, have an 161% increase in earnings, and 73% attain the regional living wage

     The Registered Dental Assistant is able to find employment in various settings depending on their particular interest. Whether it be in a general office setting, a specialty office, a hospital, a community dental clinic, or in a dental school. There are many opportunities to learn and grow as a team member in these settings. Being a licensed dental professional allows the RDA to wear many hats with the possibilities not quite limitless allowing them to work in positions such as a dental product salesperson, an office manager, scheduling coordinator, insurance clerk, a consultant or as a teacher in the community college setting. Graduates of community colleges are in great demand and are often hired even before they finish the dental assisting program. Students are encouraged to further their knowledge, skills and education opening many more doors and opportunities for advancement in the field. Looking to the future they can pursue their Registered Dental Assistant in Expanded Functions 2 (RDAEF2) license by completing additional schooling through a dental school or completing prerequisites and applying to attend dental hygiene or dental school. 

Accreditation and Licensure:

     After successfully passing the California state RDA exam, the RDA is licensed in California by the Dental Board of California. Upon completion of the dental assisting program graduates may also become a Certified Dental Assistant, which requires the applicant to take and pass an exam administered by the Dental Assisting National Board. This certification is recognized throughout the United States.

     Students graduating from the dental assisting certificate program at Santa Rosa Junior College receive a comprehensive education in California Registered Dental Assisting duties and are eligible to take the California RDA exam upon graduation.  

 Licensure Note:

     In accordance with state law, the Dental Board of California (DBC) may deny licensure for crimes substantially related to the practice of dental assisting. This includes convictions involving sex crimes, drug crimes (including DUI), and crimes of violence. It is the responsibility of the applicant to present sufficient evidence of rehabilitation to the DBC prior to licensure application. 

Click here for:  Frequently Asked Questions 

Contact:

Jennifer Poovey, Director, Dental Assisting Programs Phone: (707) 535-3788

E-mail: